TEWKSBURY TWP. — A hearing regarding a cellular communications tower proposed here will continue on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Old Turnpike School.

The hearing was to continue in July but was adjourned.

Verizon Wireless is seeking to build a 140-foot-tall cell phone tower on the Melick's Cider Mill property on King Street.

The Land Use Board raised some concerns based on testimony at the last public hearing on May 7. The company requested an adjournment of the July 16 hearing to allow additional time for the project planner and radio frequency engineer to complete their submissions addressing those concerns.

The board requires that all reports be submitted at least 10 days in advance of a meeting.

The public will have a chance to comment on the application after all witnesses have been presented.

Towers are allowed as a conditional use in the district, but variances are needed because this plan deviates from conditional use standards. Under most recent plans, the facility is proposed to be 832 feet from Oldwick Park, rather than 1,000 feet as required. It would also be closer than 1,500 feet from the Oldwick Historic District. The tower would be 140 feet tall and associated equipment and structures would be 110 feet from the property line rather than 280 feet, as required under the zoning ordinance.

The area has been identified as being in need of better cellular service coverage.

The Cider Mill is on about 60 acres. The driveway to the farm is about 200 feet from Route 517.